Many Bihar cities record AQI over 300, BSPCB tells DMs to enforce laws to check air pollution

PATNA: Amidst reports of very poor air quality in numerous cities across Bihar, the state pollution control board issued directives on Sunday to district administrations, urging them to rigorously enforce laws to combat air pollution in their respective areas.
As per the Central Pollution Control Board‘s (CPCB) daily Air Quality Index (AQI) bulletin for 243 cities in the country, the situation in Bihar was alarming.Begusarai led the list with an AQI of 382, closely trailed by Saran at 376 and Patna at 375. Other districts in Bihar with very poor air quality included Hajipur (356), Purnea (350), Katihar (350), Motihari (341),Bhagalpur (340), Rajgir (329), and Arrah (323).
The AQI assesses air quality based on eight pollutants, including PM 2.5, PM 10, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, ammonia, and lead. An AQI exceeding 300 indicates very poor air quality, leading to respiratory issues upon prolonged exposure, according to the CPCB.
Addressing the worsening air quality, Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) Chairman Devendra Kumar Shukla stated on Sunday, “It is true that the air quality has deteriorated in several districts in the state. It is because of climatic conditions also… as a large part of the state has not received rainfall in the last two-three days. Despite that, we have given instructions to the concerned district administrations to strictly enforce laws to check air pollution in their respective areas.”
He added that all District Magistrates were instructed to identify hotspots, and the chief secretary emphasized the formation of special squads to address issues such as construction activities, waste management, traffic congestion, agricultural stubble burning, and other contributors to air pollution.
(With agency inputs)